Trash To Treasure

Ayden checked out an Avengers book from the library last week and has taken an interest in Captain America. His first super hero interest was Thor, then Batman and now he's moved on to Cap. 

After studying his pictures in the book, he declared that he needed a shield. I went to our recycling bin and found an empty pizza box from one of the meals we provided during the shingle party and we turned trash to treasure!

Logan is cutting tooth number 5 and had an uncharacteristically fussy day. He fussed through most of the project and it put me in a tough spot. I had to choose which child to make happy and which to leave unhappy because I could not do both at the same time in this situation. I tried nursing Logan while Ayden painted but Logan ended up biting me (which has been an unfortunate side effect of teething for both of my babies). I put him down and let him cry a little while I helped Ayden finish his sheild. He was so excited about it and I could not bring myself to not finish it for him. 

Everything turned out okay in the end but mama sure was frazzled by the time the shield was drying. I had filled Ayden's quality time tank and we had some quiet time after I got Logan feeling better. All of the stress was worth a full day of imaginative play. 

Just another day in the trenches where there is never a dull moment.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Toddler Tuesday: Mud Pies"

Two years ago today: "Happy July! {Goal Time}"

And three years ago today: "Feeling Crafty"

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Looking Within

We had such a good day today!  Ayden and I were totally in sync which always feels so good. 

Rainy day plan TP tube craft.

Superhero gobbling down lettuce at dinner.
Daddy told him it's what gives super heros their powers so he asked for some more.

It was raining this evening so David was not able to finish the roof but we had him home with us so we didn't mind!  It stopped raining long enough for a family walk, just like we took almost every night when Ayden was Logan's age. 

We can't go on a walk without Ayden packing the essentials.
He even packed a half eaten banana and a bottle of water.
He kept offering them to us.
This super hero really cares for those he protects!

I truly believe that happiness comes from within. Whenever I am feeling down or get in a rutt, I work to disregard the natural tendency to look around for who/what to balme. Instead, I try my best to look within and FIND peace and happiness. Today, I woke up and made the decision that the day would be wonderful and what do you know?  It really was.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Phases"

Two years ago today: "To The Market We Go"

And three years ago today: "Against The Grain"

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Time Lapse

It was just me and my little boys for most of the day today.  We took it easy and did a lot of reading and playing.  We finally ventured out at around 12:30 or so to run a couple of small errands and to pick up lunch for the roofing team.

Afternoon nap in the car.  Timing is everything...

We even took some time to stop and smell some roses.

They got the front side done early and had made decent progress on the back by the time we arrived with lunch at around 2pm.

Ayden went down for his nap at around 3 and then David's mom stopped by at around 4.  Ayden was still snoozing away but she played with Logan while I tidied up and ran the vacuum.  Ayden was THRILLED to find Grandma on the couch when he got up from nap.  She took care of dinner which was so nice!  All I did was slice a watermelon for dessert.

Here is where they were when we brought dinner over at around 7. 

And how they left it when there was not enough daylight left to finish.
David got home at almost 10:00.

They should be able to finish it tomorrow pretty quickly.  My husband is amazing.  That is all.

These guys are pretty amazing too.  Can't believe we MADE them.
Still blows my mind.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Lazy Days Of Summer"

Two years ago today: "Block Party"

And three years ago today: "Every Age And Every Stage"

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Up On The Rooftop

We had a nice and well rounded day today.

Plenty of family time:

Dinner at the build site!
Spaghetti squash anyone?

Mixed with some work time!  

I helped with the house for the first time!

My view.  Haha!

And the view of the yard.
Granma with our boys!

They plan to finish the top right corner and the back side tomorrow!

There was even a mid day family nap in the mix.  It was a really great way to spend a Saturday!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today!: "Toddler Tuesday: Cork Sail Boats"
Two years ago today: "Routines"
And three years ago today: "Transitions"

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Lots Of Happy Things: Ensuing Chaos

We have hit a crazy phase at our house. Logan is going full throttle and while Ayden is very helpful by alerting me of whenever Logan is getting into mischief, he kind of turns everything into a crisis. Every 10 minutes I hear things like, "Oh no!  Logan's playing with Maverick's water bowl!!" or "Mommy!  He's going to make up my Legos!!" (He says "make" instead of "mess" at the moment), etc, etc.  Each and every one is in a super panic tone of voice.  Needless to say, it puts me on edge after a little while...  After pulling Logan out of the bathroom, out of the dog water, out of a kitchen cabinet, away from Ayden's building activities, all while I was trying to wash a few dishes, I decided to pull out our play yard.  It helped long enough for me to get the dishes done before Logan was over it and ready to get his hands into the next interesting thing he could find.  Ayden always wants to be wherever Logan is and Logan going all over the place all the time can be pretty frustrating for him.  When Ayden saw me put Logan in the pen he, of course, was excited as me for Logan to be contained for a little while and wanted to join him.  

Ahhh. A few moments of peace...

Logan worked his way through a basket of toys while Ayden sat and listened to music and it was a welcomed break from the new level of chaos that is ensuing.  This stage where a baby is old enough to get around and is developing the dexterity to open/get into things yet is not old enough to understand the "rules" about it all is CRA-ZY.  Add a "helpful" big bro to the mix and mama just might pull her hair out.

Though things feel even more chaotic than usual, there are still rainbows and sunshine all around us! Especially since the "problems" we are having are actually wonderful new developments for both boys...

1) The way these boys play together now is a WONDERFUL glimpse of what is to come for them.  They are going to have so much fun as brothers.

2) I got a water color print and these ADORABLE magnets from TheWeatField on Etsy.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE her work.  She gets me. ;)
Surrounding yourself with things that spark joy really does do great things for the soul.
*side note* - I would LOVE if she could design labels for our honey jars.

2. Ayden was inspired by a library book to eat avocado right out of the skin with a spoon for snack today.
Good stuff.

3. Our lefty is making progress on writing his name!
I did not have to model the letter formations, though I did have to help him keep track of which letter he was supposed to be writing next.
I am trying to keep the name writing practice casual and meaningful but I am usually abel to sneak it in at least once a day. 

4. Family game night!
David took the night off from building after a couple of tough days on the roof.
It was also storming so instead of riding bikes, we pulled out a board game.

Ayden LOVED it and did great!
It is called Snail Pace Race and is a great starter game!
I got ours at the Good Will for $1 my second year of teaching!

Logan gnawed and sucked on a chicken leg the whole time while we played two games.
WIN!

And not to get all political on you guys but...

5. Our children can now not only marry whomever they wish someday but also have the legal rights to go along with it.  Equality is always a good thing in my opinion.
Love prevails in the land of the FREE!

~Sarah

Flashback! Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "DIY Wood Floor Cleaner"
Two years ago today: "Keeping Up"
And three years ago today: "Pajama Day"

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Little Like His Brother

We had Logan's 9 month well visit today. 

Nap when we got there...

Big bro came along for moral support.

15lb 14oz, 2' 3.36"
He's little like his brother alway has been.
Makes him easier to carry around, that's for sure! :)

Nap after we left...

The same crew worked hard on our shingles all day again today. We took them lunch, went home for Ayden's nap and then went back over with some cold watermelon. 

SO refreshing on a hot Summer day!

The boys and I were on our own tonight because David and his dad went back over after dinner. There are some storms rolling in and they really needed to finish as much as possible on the front half of the roof before the rain came. We went into town to ship a package, get some gas (Ayden LIVES for helping me pump) and made a quick grocery stop. 

This face.  Those eyes.  I can't even...

These boys of ours are getting more fun all the time. They laugh hysterically together at least twice a day and seem to truly enjoy each other's company. How I hope we can help them maintain this type of friendship for years to come. I know they'll "fight," what siblings don't?  But I do hope they can always work it out and stay this close forever!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Company Picnic"

Two years ago today: "5 Happy Things: Joy Filled Life"

And three years ago today: "Practice Makes Perfect"

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House Progress

Our boys shared a few special moments today.

My favorite one was after Ayden woke up from his nap.  Logan and I went in to get him and when Logan saw Ayden he lit up.  He crawled over and put his head in Ayden's lap and then Ayden leaned down and hugged him.  The more Logan develops the ability to show affection, the more Ayden falls in love.  It melts my heart!

Ayden loves bugs more than ever!
He has gotten really good at catching them!
(and his eyes are to DIE for.)

It has been a while since I have put up some house progress photos so here you go!

Time to conquer the shingles!

David took today and tomorrow off from work and his dad and one of the play group dads came to help.

At the end of the day today they had completed the dormers and the front left corner of the porch.
It looks more like home everyday!

While we were waiting on ourselves to make the shingle color decision and then waiting for them to arrive once we put in the order, they got started on running the electric.

Looking into the kitchen from the front door.

Looking into the kitchen from the laundry room.
Not sure what we'll do once the dry wall is up and we can't see through the walls anymore! ;)

Things are coming along nicely.  They will finish the shingles and electric and then it's on to insulation and drywall.  A few more steps after that and it will be livable.  We plan to move in before it is "done" so we can put all of this rent we are paying into the house (though I'm sure it will never actually be done because there's always a project!). We are on an amazing adventure!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Breakthrough "
Two years ago today: "Head Over Heels"
Three years ago today: "Sitting Tall"

Thank you for stopping by Life With the Ladniers!

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